"I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change."
~ Jim Rohn
Author and Speaker

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The Keys to Good Service

Yes, it is easy, do what you say you will. But surprisingly this is rarely the case. I don't know about you, but I find all too often vendors and providers don't do what they say they will. Recent experience getting quotes for replacement windows has been frustrating to put it mildly. Before getting quotes, I made some calls. My favorite response was Anderson Windows, and they license great grandfather's designs! They said I had to come to the showroom first, but that they were rarely there and I needed to call first, not convenient. Don't bother with Anderson (at least in Atlanta).

Bring samples of product or brochures of work. Next was the quoting, the first contractor came out and wanted to create a life long relationship for all sorts of services, but never managed to get me a quote on just my windows, nor was he prepared with any samples or even brochures. Case Contracting, don't bother.

Listen from the get go, if you don't have the right product, don't quote. The second provider came out and wasted my time by asking me all sorts of interior design questions when he realized in the first three minutes that he didn't have the product I wanted, despite my being very specific in my original call. I didn't keep track of his name, he didn't have what I wanted.

Don't promise what you can't deliver. The third vendor swore he was qualified and could beat the other quote received by at least 30% but when his quote did show up it was higher than the original. He never followed up with a call and despite my leaving two messages at his office, he didn't return the call until two weeks later saying he'd lost my number (but called me three times before coming out the first time.) The irony is that his salesmen told me he is the company owner, and almost never does calls. Now, we know why! While he had the product I liked and I'd have considered paying it as he was the first to show up with samples, I'm not comfortable doing business with someone I have to track down even when I like his product. Atlanta Window and Door, disappointing.

Follow up, follow up, follow up. The result is I still have one quote that is higher than desired, but at least the salesman has followed up repeatedly every week with me, touching base and checking in. He turned his quote around the fastest. I don't love the product but might do it anyway. Pella, there is a reason these guys got big in an industry that is evidently a mess.

Decatur's Art Festival

It was clear blue skies, balmy breezes, and sunshine perfect for the Decatur Arts Festival this past weekend. One of my favorite shows always has a contest amongst artists and sponsors for the best door to Decatur, here are just a sampling of the entries!

The most unique artist I met was Lynn Reeder of Dare to be Different who crafts her work from sheet rock mud. Take a peak at her website, lots of possibilities for artifying your home and life! www.thecarvedpainting.com.

Lessons from the Garden

Some that see my garden see a lot of work, I don't. I see a chance to get outside in the sun and breeze and enjoy the best that nature brings. Last year was my year for a lot of work, and this year I am reaping the results. Can you say the same of your business?

Last year I made careful decisions on planting perennials, not annuals, I only wanted to do this once. I weeded, watered, fed, and talked to my budding chaos of blooms, it has rewarded me tenfold. You can do the same with your business. What actions can you take this year, this month, this week that when nurtured, followed up on, and activated will bring you success in years to come? It is often easy to do the one shot wonders, as in the garden, the annuals that bring immediate color and beauty instead of the perennials that require more care. Yet it is the perennials, in the long run, that give me my time back to enjoy the flowers of my labors, rather than continue to plant, again and again. Wouldn't you like a chance to plant once, tend for a lifetime, and enjoy the success and rewards?